I've previously posted about how the so-called "smart gun" as promulgated by popular culture and politicians will not make a significant difference in the safety of firearms and could be detrimental. Here I will show what smart gun could be implemented in a way that benefits the gun user.
The AR-type rifle lends itself to customization. With a modified or unique lower receiver, it would make a great host for a Smart Gun. the Smart Gun system should be as modular as the rifle, with additional components adding functionality. The core of the system would be contained in specialized grip. This grip would have the controller and login system, that the shooter interfaces with with passive rings or some other local RF system. It would actuate the safety (Via a modified Safety plunger) to on-safe when connection with the login device is lost. This would *not* prevent the user from actuating the safety to "Fire" manually, in case of system failure. The computer would log the user, number of shots fired and timestamp shots, logins and disconnects.
The system could be integrated with a TrackingPoint-style scope, perhaps receiving information from target designators and other field sensors to keep blue-on-blue incidents to a minimum and lead to better hits with automatic ranging. Video of shots could be captured for forensic investigation. The scope could be integrated with a round counter and other sensors to detect and diagnose stoppages. A small sensor pack could automatically safe the gun when the user is not directly aiming (such as on the move running or marching, or in a vehicle or coming into the bounds of a "safe zone").
The user get's takeaway protection in the form of the automatic safety engagement. The other benefits are primarily for issuing organizations being able to show who fired a shot, when it was fired. the additional information does not need the smartgun integration
By using a modified frame, a solenoid built into the left grip panel could automatically actuate the safety lever and/or the grip safety in order to lock out an unauthorized user in the event of a gun grab or takeaway. In this case the emergency reset would be removing the grip panel and resetting or disabling the system. This introduces a new failure possibility into the gun and would require the authorized user to quickly identify a lockout failure and change tactics.
Automatic takeaway safety, and unauthorized user lockout. If the grip safety was used for the lockout the gun could still be loaded and unloaded safely.
No smartgun system will be an alternative for safe storage. By trying to replace safe behavior and habits with technology we create new and worse failure states. Much like we teach that you cannot rely on a mechanical safety and should never pull a trigger or point a gun in a direction you are not prepared to shoot into, we need to teach that just because there may be electronic "smarts" in a gun, doesn't mean you can just leave it lying around.
But there are potential upsides for the owners of guns besides the supposed safety of an authorized user only gun. The primary benefit being prevention of having your own gun used against you. These systems can and should be made so that it requires time and effort to bypass them, providing limited "Authorized user only" functionality. But the primary functiuon cannot be to replace safe storage.
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